To accurately predict the outcome of an event, such as a horse race, and earn a share of the total winnings based on the amount of money bet on that outcome.
Win: a bet placed on a single horse to finish first in a race.
Place: a bet on a horse to finish either first or second in a race.
Show: a bet on a horse to finish in the top three positions in a race.
Exacta: a bet predicting the first and second place finishers in the exact order.
Trifecta: a bet predicting the first, second, and third place finishers in the exact order.
Superfecta: a bet predicting the first, second, third, and fourth place finishers in the exact order.
Daily Double: a bet on the winners of two consecutive races.
Morning Line: The odds assigned by a track handicapper before the betting begins and used as a guide for bettors.
Handle: the total amount of money wagered on a race or event.
Takeout: the percentage of the betting pool that is retained by the track or betting facility to cover operating expenses and generate revenue.
Be prepared — have your bet details ready before placing a wager.
Parimutuel wagering is a betting system where all bets are pooled and winnings are divided among bettors who picked the correct outcome.
Odds are determined by the total amount of money bet on each outcome rather than fixed odds set by a bookmaker.
Types of bets include win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, and multi-race wagers like daily double and Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6.
Payouts are calculated after the event by dividing the total pool (minus takeout) by the total amount wagered on the winning outcome.
Practicing responsible gambling and observing betting etiquette are essential for a positive parimutuel wagering experience.
Disclaimer: This game guide is meant as an introduction. The official rules for Massachusetts parimutuel wagering can be found at massgaming.com/the-commission/inside-mgc/division-of-racing/.
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